The original Steel Magnolias play was written by Robert Harling, a law school attendee and aspiring actor. The play took place on a single set, Truvy’s Beauty Shop, and included six actresses. While Harling never expected the play to become known outside of his hometown, it became a hit all the way in Hollywood, where it was decided that Steel Magnolias had great potential for the big-screen. In the late 80s Director Herbert Ross asked Harling to write a screenplay based off his original production and in 1989 Steel Magnolias (the movie) was born. It included an incredible cast of nine major characters, including Julia Roberts as Shelby Eatenton Latcherie. Upon its debut, the movie Steel Magnolias became a modern-day classic.
On Nov. 5, Marysville High School Drama Club members took the stage in their own production of Steel Magnolias, setting a new standard for high school theater. The fall play, directed by Ms. Everitt and Mrs. Hinderer, was Marysville’s first drama production. Their version mirrored Harling’s original with one incredible set and six talented actresses. Since a total of six available roles and 15 to 20 auditionees would not allow many students to be a part of the production, Everitt and Hinderer put together two full casts of girls. The brilliant actresses of Cast One are Peyton Cooper as Shelby Eatenton Latcherie, Shelby McSwords as M’Lynn Eatenton, Cassie Oiler as Truvy Jones, Chelsea Sullivan as Clairee Belcher, Alana McCabe as Ouiser Boudreaux, Courtney Hall as Annelle Dupuy Desoto. The girls put on an excellent performance last night and will return to the stage Saturday at 7 p.m. for their final show. Cast Two (Brooklynn Weller as Shelby Eatenton Latcherie, Autumn Mohler as M’Lynn Eatenton, Sara Clause as Truvy Jones, KiLene Tolbert as Clairee Belcher, Sydney Shapiro as Ouiser Boudreaux, Anna Snyder as Annelle Dupuy Desoto) will perform tonight at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. The Truvy’s Beauty Shop set, which looks like it just arrived out of a time machine from the 1980s, was created by Ms. Hasser and several members of Art Club, including: Brandi King, Troncone, Mack Smegal, Katie Hizer, Kourtney Minor, Lauren Kimel. Overall, the atmosphere was groovy; the costumes were fitting for the era and realistic props made the scenes come to life.
As an observer who has not seen Ross’ 1989 film, the play was a bit hard to keep up with at times. I was confused as to why the women never left the beauty shop, who the men they spoke of were, and why Shelby decided to have a baby when her doctors advised her against it. Had I seen the movie first, I probably would have had a better understanding of the basics and found the storyline more enjoyable. I thought the best part of the production to be the actresses connection with each other; watching the six girls of Cast One perform together, I thought they must have been acting alongside each other in school plays since elementary school. Much to my surprise, Cassie Oiler (Truvy), whose performance absolutely amazed me, had never even been in a play before. “I’ve been in three musicals but this is my first play,” Oiler explained. She attributes her outstanding performance partly to having watched Ross’ film, which helped her perfect Truvy’s southern accent and understand her role of “peacekeeper” among the ladies, and partly to all the time she put into rehearsing with her fellow cast members. “We spent probably two and a half months [practicing], three days a week, two hours a day depending on if we had other things we were committed to or not,” she said. After watching the girls in action, I can confidently say that their hours of dedication have most definitely paid off. Their lines flowed almost effortlessly, their movement on stage appeared incredibly natural, and they spoke with each other, rather than directly to the audience. It should be noted that while Oiler’s performance stood out to me, all of the girls in Cast One possess innate talent that I hope they will continue to pursue. I recommend that everyone see the show twice, once with each cast.
In all, Marysville High School’s Drama Club has made their first drama a success. I cannot wait to watch Cast Two perform tonight, as I have heard nothing but wonderful rumors regarding their acting, and I hope to see every Monarch there as well.
Best of luck to the performers for each of their remaining shows.
Devon Stephen
Editor-in-Chief of Media
On Nov. 5, Marysville High School Drama Club members took the stage in their own production of Steel Magnolias, setting a new standard for high school theater. The fall play, directed by Ms. Everitt and Mrs. Hinderer, was Marysville’s first drama production. Their version mirrored Harling’s original with one incredible set and six talented actresses. Since a total of six available roles and 15 to 20 auditionees would not allow many students to be a part of the production, Everitt and Hinderer put together two full casts of girls. The brilliant actresses of Cast One are Peyton Cooper as Shelby Eatenton Latcherie, Shelby McSwords as M’Lynn Eatenton, Cassie Oiler as Truvy Jones, Chelsea Sullivan as Clairee Belcher, Alana McCabe as Ouiser Boudreaux, Courtney Hall as Annelle Dupuy Desoto. The girls put on an excellent performance last night and will return to the stage Saturday at 7 p.m. for their final show. Cast Two (Brooklynn Weller as Shelby Eatenton Latcherie, Autumn Mohler as M’Lynn Eatenton, Sara Clause as Truvy Jones, KiLene Tolbert as Clairee Belcher, Sydney Shapiro as Ouiser Boudreaux, Anna Snyder as Annelle Dupuy Desoto) will perform tonight at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. The Truvy’s Beauty Shop set, which looks like it just arrived out of a time machine from the 1980s, was created by Ms. Hasser and several members of Art Club, including: Brandi King, Troncone, Mack Smegal, Katie Hizer, Kourtney Minor, Lauren Kimel. Overall, the atmosphere was groovy; the costumes were fitting for the era and realistic props made the scenes come to life.
As an observer who has not seen Ross’ 1989 film, the play was a bit hard to keep up with at times. I was confused as to why the women never left the beauty shop, who the men they spoke of were, and why Shelby decided to have a baby when her doctors advised her against it. Had I seen the movie first, I probably would have had a better understanding of the basics and found the storyline more enjoyable. I thought the best part of the production to be the actresses connection with each other; watching the six girls of Cast One perform together, I thought they must have been acting alongside each other in school plays since elementary school. Much to my surprise, Cassie Oiler (Truvy), whose performance absolutely amazed me, had never even been in a play before. “I’ve been in three musicals but this is my first play,” Oiler explained. She attributes her outstanding performance partly to having watched Ross’ film, which helped her perfect Truvy’s southern accent and understand her role of “peacekeeper” among the ladies, and partly to all the time she put into rehearsing with her fellow cast members. “We spent probably two and a half months [practicing], three days a week, two hours a day depending on if we had other things we were committed to or not,” she said. After watching the girls in action, I can confidently say that their hours of dedication have most definitely paid off. Their lines flowed almost effortlessly, their movement on stage appeared incredibly natural, and they spoke with each other, rather than directly to the audience. It should be noted that while Oiler’s performance stood out to me, all of the girls in Cast One possess innate talent that I hope they will continue to pursue. I recommend that everyone see the show twice, once with each cast.
In all, Marysville High School’s Drama Club has made their first drama a success. I cannot wait to watch Cast Two perform tonight, as I have heard nothing but wonderful rumors regarding their acting, and I hope to see every Monarch there as well.
Best of luck to the performers for each of their remaining shows.
Devon Stephen
Editor-in-Chief of Media